Edmonds College, in partnership with Latino Educational Training Institute and Snohomish Conservation District, recommended for funding worth $817,000 to restore salmon habitat
(April 24, 2023) Lynnwood, Wash. – Edmonds College, in partnership with the Latino Educational Training Institute (LETI) and Snohomish Conservation District, will create a bilingual workforce development program to educate and train Latino community members in the restoration field. The program will include paid internship opportunities, providing participants with hands-on experience restoring salmon habitat in the Stillaguamish and Snohomish watersheds.
Edmonds College and the University of Puerto Rico at Aquadilla are the only two higher learning institutes nationwide recommended to receive funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Climate-Ready Coasts initiative. Nationwide, NOAA recommends nearly $25 million in funding for 35 new projects that will advance underserved communities’ coastal habitat restoration priorities.
“We recognize the need to preserve the habitat of our salmon and steelhead populations, which affects the orca pods that call the Puget Sound home. These species are iconic symbols and resources that make our community unique,” said Edmonds College President Dr. Amit B. Singh. “We are pleased to partner with LETI and Snohomish Conservation District to provide underserved communities an opportunity to work on such an important undertaking.”
“LETI is excited to collaborate with Edmonds College and the Snohomish Conservation District to educate and train local Latinos in environmental restoration,” added Founder and CEO of LETI Rosario Reyes. “Not only to mitigate risks and create healthier living environments but also to create new jobs and opportunities for better-paying jobs.”
In Washington state, NOAA awarded four recipients of grants intended for underserved communities. Edmonds College is recommended to receive funding worth $817,000 for its Restoration for All (R4A) grant.
These projects were selected through the Coastal Habitat Restoration and Resilience Grants for Underserved Communities funding opportunity. They will support community-driven habitat restoration and help build the capacity of underserved communities to participate more fully in restoration activities.
Vice President Kamala Harris announced that the Department of Commerce has recommended $74.4 million for projects across Washington to make communities and the economy more resilient to climate change as part of the Investing in America agenda. The investment is provided through the Biden-Harris Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law with funding leveraged from the Inflation Reduction Act. Across Washington, 14 projects will create jobs and boost economic and environmental outcomes for coastal communities.
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Edmonds College | edmonds.edu
Edmonds College is a public college accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities and governed by the Washington State Board of Community and Technical Colleges. Edmonds mission is: Teaching I Learning I Community. The college serves approximately 14,000 students annually, including approximately 900 international students from about 60 countries. The college currently offers two bachelor of applied science degrees (with approval to offer three more), 65 associate degrees, and 107 professional certificates in 30 programs of study. Edmonds College offers robust athletics programs for men and women, including baseball, softball, basketball, volleyball, soccer, and cross-country. The college operates two on-campus residence halls housing approximately 400 students. In addition, the college has a wide range of comprehensive offerings: College credit in high school, basic education skills to receive a high school diploma/GED or to prepare for college, short-term non-credit training, continuing education, online degrees, and certificates, offered day, night, and weekend. Support services include childcare, a campus food pantry, 211 navigator, and mental health resources. The school operates on a quarter system. The average age of students is 30.
